Distributors Books

I was rushed to find a book for a colleague who was leaving and who had always asked for my recommendation for THE quintessential book on africa. From what I saw in Amazon's synopsis, I figured i couldn't go wrong with a photographic journal of the land, as pictures tell a thousand words.
There are some spectacular photographs in this book, which convey the rich heritage of flora and fauna in this region of Africa. Its a good coffee table book, and is also good for people who have been to Africa and need a display memoir of photos of scenes that you saw but couldn't capture yourself.I was tickled pink to find pictures of places I had seen and I had even been to, like the spice merchant in Durban ,S.A who displayed varying ranges of chilli powder ending in "Mother-In-Law exterminator" as his most potent, or the multi colored changing stalls on Cape Town's beaches.
Don't buy this book if you are looking for an in-depth analysis of the countries economies, and the present conditions and way of life of the ethnic people. The author devotes a few pages to a brief history of the countries, and stays away from making any socio-political comments or opinions. The book tells its story in pictures, and concentrates at times in depth on wildlife rather than landscape.
I like the book, and i think I'm going to get a copy for myself! As for my colleague, i hope this convinces her to take the plunge and head for a safari in one of the most pristine corners of the world.

BB is a master story teller and this is the perfect way to decide if you like to read more about his literary works. BB is best known for his trilogy 'Pather Panchali', 'Apur Sansar', 'Aparajito' which were made into a internationally acclaimed movie-trilogy by Satyajit Ray.
There are 8 short stories and there is a lovely theme across these stories. The essence of the narrative style is not lost due to the great job done by Rani Ray (some updates would enhance the readability).

For the Christian parent, this is a very good choice for your young reader. There are about 8-10 stories, each centering on a different Bible verse. Although you might be put off by the dress of the family on the cover (I think they're Mennonite), the stories are truly sweet and you can't tell that they're Mennonite except that the families seem to live on a farm. (I don't recall them saying anything about "Uncle Johns," for example.) I have some Rod & Staff books (Little Jewel books) and I found the stories in this Miller book to be better written and, maybe because of that, less didactic and more enjoyable. (Don't get me wrong: we still enjoy some of The Little Jewel books. However, the writing isn't always great and I haven't cared much for the poetry ones. They are also more overtly Mennonite.) The verses are also not obscure ones and the lessons are definitely things you have probably already talked about with your children. For example, there is a story about turning away someone's wrath, a story in which Mama confesses her sin from the past, a story about obedience being the best sacrifice, and a story about a boy overindulging in sweets. Very well done.

the author didn't take up corrosion types and prevention from corrosion in district heating pipelines

"Sword of Allah: Khalid bin al-Waleed" was originally released in January 1979 (504 pgs) in hardback. Then it was revised and released as "Khalid bin al-Waleed: Sword of Allah" in February 2004 (458 pgs) in paperback by Maktabah Publishers in Birmingham, England. The author is: Lt. Gen. A. I. Akram, a Pakistani army officer who taught at the Pakistani Staff College in 1964, and who later traveled to Saudi Arabia and the Middle East to view the battlefields of the Muslim Prophet Mohammad and his best general: Khalid. Akram wrote this book in tribute to Khalid, whom be believed to be "the greatest military general in history", and who campaigned in the Middle East about 630-650 C.E. For his research he excluded both Muslim and Christian writers who lived and wrote after the Tenth Century; Akram believed they were merely rewriting the battle accounts of the earlier Muslim scholars, such as: Mohammad bin Ishaq. Akram's use of Arabic sources helped him to broaden the history of Mohammad's and Khalid's early battles. However, by excluding any "Western" scholars he avoided benefiting from their critical analysis in questioning the historical accuracy of some of the battlefield scenarios. Akram generally does not question the accuracy of the early Muslim biographers. However, as a professionally military-trained general, Akram occasionally rises above his fervent Islamic beliefs and questions some of the battlefield accounts. Akram doubts a few of the stories that anti-Muhammad enemy forces numbered over 100,000 - 200,000 during some battles, and Akram found it incongruous to believe that despite so many soldiers, only four or so deaths on either side resulted after several days of heavy "battle" between these large armies: who had shot the sky full of arrows at one another. Pertaining to the massacre of some 600 Jewish males who surrendered at the battle of Khaybar, Akram was so embarrassed by the obvious outright cold-blooded murder of these Jewish prisoners that he blithely skims over this shameful episode of the Prophet of Peace. Objectivity is not a strong attribute of Akram. Akram revised the final edition over five years, and it shows good attention to detail -- if the details can be believed. As he visited the early Muslim battlefields and studied them, Akram developed some 30 maps depicting the various battles. However, the maps are very generic and hypothetical (nothing like a modern detailed battle map), as nothing really remains of the battlefields themselves -- their having been buried in the shifting sands of time. This is a very good heavily-detailed book recounting Mohammad's and Khalid's battles -- from a not-too-critical Muslim perspective. A good companion book analyzing these battles with constructive criticism is: "War, Terror & Peace in the Qur'an and in Islam" by T.P. Schwartz-Barcott. Sadly, no index, but a helpful Table of Contents listing the battles.

"Sword of Allah: Khalid bin al-Waleed" was originally released in January 1979 (504 pgs) in hardback. Then it was revised and released as "Khalid bin al-Waleed: Sword of Allah" in February 2004 (458 pgs) in paperback by Maktabah Publishers in Birmingham, England. The author is: Lt. Gen. A. I. Akram, a Pakistani army officer who taught at the Pakistani Staff College in 1964, and who later traveled to Saudi Arabia and the Middle East to view the battlefields of the Muslim Prophet Mohammad and his best general: Khalid. Akram wrote this book in tribute to Khalid, whom be believed to be "the greatest military general in history", and who campaigned in the Middle East about 630-650 C.E. For his research he excluded both Muslim and Christian writers who lived and wrote after the Tenth Century; Akram believed they were merely rewriting the battle accounts of the earlier Muslim scholars, such as: Mohammad bin Ishaq. Akram's use of Arabic sources helped him to broaden the history of Mohammad's and Khalid's early battles. However, by excluding any "Western" scholars he avoided benefiting from their critical analysis in questioning the historical accuracy of some of the battlefield scenarios. Akram generally does not question the accuracy of the early Muslim biographers. However, as a professionally military-trained general, Akram occasionally rises above his fervent Islamic beliefs and questions some of the battlefield accounts. Akram doubts a few of the stories that anti-Muhammad enemy forces numbered over 100,000 - 200,000 during some battles, and Akram found it incongruous to believe that despite so many soldiers, only four or so deaths on either side resulted after several days of heavy "battle" between these large armies: who had shot the sky full of arrows at one another. Pertaining to the massacre of some 600 Jewish males who surrendered at the battle of Khaybar, Akram was so embarrassed by the obvious outright cold-blooded murder of these Jewish prisoners that he blithely skims over this shameful episode of the Prophet of Peace. Objectivity is not a strong attribute of Akram. Akram revised the final edition over five years, and it shows good attention to detail -- if the details can be believed. As he visited the early Muslim battlefields and studied them, Akram developed some 30 maps depicting the various battles. However, the maps are very generic and hypothetical (nothing like a modern detailed battle map), as nothing really remains of the battlefields themselves -- their having been buried in the shifting sands of time. This is a very good heavily-detailed book recounting Mohammad's and Khalid's battles -- from a not-too-critical Muslim perspective. Good companion books analyzing these battles with constructive criticism are: "War, Terror & Peace in the Qur'an and in Islam" by T.P. Schwartz-Barcott, and "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam" by Robert Spencer. Sadly, no index, but a helpful Table of Contents listing the battles.

Thalamurakal belongs to a different genre. No, it can't challenge his own Khsask, but its deviation from rest of his works is visible. As usual, Vijayan has used his splendid and magical narration throughout the novel. The novel traces the diasporas of a community whose struggles are rather undocumented. He also brings up a row of issues through the novel. It traces the history of Pondmudi tharavad. Chamiyarappan, his Son-in-law and his grandson. It doesn't follow a linear narration. It talks about the upheaval and the struggles of people who are born in Ponmudi tharavad and their attempt to get rid of once prevalent `Jatheeyatha' in Kerala Community.

Pondmudi tharavad where Chamiyarappnan born is having the history of wriggling away from the caste based system prevalent. And there were attempt from his uncle to achieve Braminhood through learning Sanskirt. The quest for achieving salvation through Brhaminhood, and in the final count, revelation of its meaninglessness. Chamayiarappan, a one time communist and an ardent follower of Stalin who believes that Russia will come. His son-in-law Velappan, a strict and disciplined MSP officer, loyal to Britishers. And the last link in the lineage, Chandran an uprising communist who talks about Stockholm piece process when his own father straddled in the web of militant trade unionism.

This is a novel which should be read in its totality. You may need to go back to it after the first read. And in each read you explore more.

Being a resident along the bay and a fan of the paranormal, this book is great reading. Okonowicz is one of the foremost authorities on Maryland Ghost Lore.

Really understand GMDSS systems and help pass your FCC license for GMDSS Radio Maintainer or GMDSS Radio Operator.

This book helps explains how these systems work and needed for those who have the FCC pool of questions for Element 7 and Element 9 necessary to become either a FCC Licensed GMDSS Radio Maintainer or Operator.Helps explains terminologies,concepts, etc.

Really understand these systems and supplement question pools with explanations on how answers were derived, thus increasing your understanding and chances of passing FCC license exams!!!

I bought the 1993 edition while I was living in Central NY and can only comment on the Central NY listings. I found the format easy to skim through and the maps/directions extremely helpful. All the information you might want is included--phone numbers, hours of operation, genres sold, etc. Occasionally the description of a store's offerings was not quite right, or the place in question no longer existed, but such changes can happen when there are several years between editions. I intend to buy the edition for NC once I get moved in.